The airplane, phonograph, automobile and motion picture were just a few of the most notable inventions of years gone by. What would you list as the most-appreciated scientific invention of your generation?

Professional in-home care agencies report an uptick in information calls in early January. The reason? The holidays are the time when out-of-town relatives are most likely to visit their elderly loved ones—and to realize that these seniors need help!

We know that at this time of year, your mailbox at the North Pole is overflowing! But we hope you'll take time to read our wish list for you—the gift of healthy lifestyle choices. We're making our list and checking it twice to find ways for you to stay active and engaged for years to come!

We've long heard that physical fitness contributes to improved overall health, but scientists are now proving that your brain needs its own fitness program, especially if you are retired or over 65. Neurobiologists use the term "neurobics" to describe the mental exercises that help prevent memory loss and sharpen brain function. Neurobics includes brainteasers, puzzles and other cognitive exercises.

If you're like many of us, November and December bring an unwanted holiday gift: a few extra pounds that show up when we step on the scale in January! Maybe you even got a head start by finishing off the leftover Halloween candy?

Golf, bridge and bingo not exactly on your retirement list? How about football, zoology and theater? A growing number of American seniors are opting out of traditional retirement communities, lush with golf courses and nearby shopping, for university-based retirement communities, or UBRCs.

Perhaps you've seen or participated in the slow, fluid body motions of tai chi (tie-chee). If so, you are one of 2.3 million Americans who practice this graceful martial art that originated in China and is shown to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance self-confidence, and elevate overall well-being.

A dollop of peanut butter and a ruler may soon be a common tool for helping detect early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The Journal of the Neurological Sciences recently published a University of Florida study that used peanut butter to test for loss of smell in patients with suspect cognitive and memory impairment.

It seems obvious that good health in our later years would make it easier to enjoy life. Yet two recent reports from Canada show that the way we feel about life—and about ourselves—is intertwined with our health in a more complicated way.

From time to time, the Caring Right at Home newsletter has highlighted the ongoing research of University of Chicago’s Dr. John Cacioppo, whose groundbreaking work on the effect of loneliness has changed how we think about how seniors spend their time. Dr. Cacioppo has shown that loneliness is highly stressful for humans, raising the risk of hypertension, sleep disorders, depression and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Every family has a unique story. Discovering more about your ancestors from decades past can be an enjoyable and educational project. Tracing your lineage may even surprise you with insights into your own personality, likes, dislikes and customs.

Family caregivers are some of the busiest people around! These people who provide care for elderly or disabled relatives spend hours making sure their loved one is safe and well-cared for, often juggling work and other family responsibilities. Extra time to spend on their own needs is a scarce commodity.

The STARZ Channel series "Boss," starring actor Kelsey Grammer, was the first time many Americans had ever heard of Lewy body dementia. In his Golden Globe-winning performance, Grammer portrayed the fictional Mayor Tom Kane of Chicago, who was struggling with the effects of the disease.

When you were a small child, you probably complained to your parents at bedtime: "Why do I have to go to sleep? It’s a waste of time!" Most of us spend about one-third of our life sleeping—but sleep remains a mystery to us. We don't think much about it until we encounter a sleep problem.

Good nutrition is vital for the health and well-being of older adults. Yet when it comes to eating well, this time of life brings challenges. Disabilities, chronic health conditions and medications can all affect the appetite. Taste and smell often decline. Missing teeth, uncomfortable dentures and digestive problems can make eating uncomfortable. And for many with Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, MS or stroke, eating is more of a challenge than a pleasure.

Drinking coffee and other caffeinated drinks is not something people readily give up. In one survey of people 64 years of age and older, almost 20 percent indicated they would rather give up sex than give up drinking coffee. While there are dangers associated with consuming too much caffeine, the effects of the stimulant on seniors in particular aren't all negative.

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